Arne Slot was asked what he deemed “one of the weirdest questions” when Xabi Alonso’s links to Liverpool were put before him in his press conference in France.
Arne Slot on Xabi Alonso Rumours
The “weirdest” question: Arne Slot laughed off a direct question about whether he has spoken to Xabi Alonso regarding the Liverpool job, joking Alonso “called me” to ask about taking over.
FSG stance: Despite intense pressure and the shadow of the now-available Alonso, reports indicate that FSG currently have “no plans” to sack Slot mid-season.
Slot’s verdict: The head coach reiterated his commitment to the role, noting that while results have been tougher following last season’s title win, he continues to “really like” his work at Anfield.
With Xabi Alonso no longer at Real Madrid and Slot still under pressure at Liverpool, there has been no shortage of talk about the return of the former midfielder to Anfield.
But reports state that Slot retains the backing of owners FSG, who have “no plans” to axe their head coach during the season.
However, Slot did not expect to be asked directly about the rumours linking Alonso to Liverpool and whether he had talked to the Spaniard himself.
He was asked: What do you think about the rumours of Xabi Alonso and Liverpool, do they hurt you, and do you feel the rising pressure from your fans who are booing their team, and maybe you talked to Xabi?
Slot’s reply was met with the bemusement you would expect, first replying with a disbelieving laugh: “Yeah, he called me.
“He asked, ‘What do you think about the team, because I’m going to take over in six months, can you tell me a little bit more’, or maybe earlier? Maybe he takes over tomorrow!
“No, no, no, no [laughs]. This is one of the most weirdest questions I’ve ever got!
“What’s there to say to your [question]? I’m working here now for a little bit more than one-and-a-half years, and I really like my work over here.
“Won the league last season, struggled more in the league this season. That’s also obvious.
“So yeah, what’s there left to say?”
Arne Slot reflects on Anfield boos after Burnley draw
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After taking a momentary pause to digest the first part of the question he was asked, Slot then addressed the boos at Anfield after the draw against Burnley.
He said: “And the boos, maybe I heard a few, but it wasn’t as if it was a lot, but I think it’s also completely normal if you have a draw at home against Burnley, that no one is happy about that.
“But I think the moment the people went home, they probably, when emotions calmed down, they probably thought like, ‘it’s been a while’.
“In the one-and-a-half years that I’m at Liverpool, we’ve never created so many chances against the low block as we did in that game.
“So maybe it was a little bit more positive than the results showed. But we’re in a result business, I’m aware of that.”